The question of why a black newspaper is desirable in our community, has come up on several occasions.   Without question, the first reason is to educate and to empower African Americans with the culturally-specific knowledge needed to establish and maintain an acceptable level of political, social and economic progress. 

Those of us who are watching, and understand the reality of black life, recognize the decline in black economic progress for what it is.  It is symptomatic of a grave illness that has infected many African American people resulting in detachment from the struggles of yester-year.  Among our folks― especially youth― there is a shameful lack of appreciation for the struggle that practically every black person went through trying to get ahead. 

One major reason is the intentional failure of the general media to address issues that directly impact black life.  Another lies in the fact that neither public nor private schools are being compelled (either by law or by the citizenry) to incorporate black history, or black newspapers in their classroom curricula, and not apologizing for their attitude about it.  They have never, nor do they currently care that black children are not being properly exposed to information that provides some cultural identity for them.  But, the most discouraging truth of the matter is that a lot of our own folks acquiesce with the long-standing practice of institutional racism, by passively rejecting the idea of black empowerment. 
We believe that because we are committed to taking positive action in that direction, we ought to have the full, complete support of African Americans in every community.    If you are not reading The People’s Voice, we believe that you OUGHT to be reading it.   We don’t apologize for our attitude, because we are finding that black folks by and large, aren’t reading much of ANYTHING.   And it’s frightening!  Are we really that careless and unconcerned?  
Rather than to consider us as an “afterthought,” we want to be considered FIRST.   We should be the first to come to mind, when and if anything important is happening in our culture and community.   But, we find that many of our people are still infected and affected with the slave mentality, thinking that whatever we do will be inferior.  Or just not thinking about us at all. 
It has been said that we are our own worst enemy.  As badly as I hate to believe that…at times, I’m forced to believe it.
Truth is, it will be inferior  as long as our own people ignore us…we create a self-fulfilling prophecy, dooming ourselves to failure, because WE didn’t consider it important, what our own constituency had to say; because WE continued to take our stories to other papers FIRST, instead of bringing them to our own; because WE considered ourselves LAST, after everybody else had gotten ahold of it; then we subject ourselves to harsh criticism because we didn’t have the information early enough.  
After a full year of publication, as a black news media, we ought to be, and could and should be ON TOP OF OUR GAME right now.   But, when somebody recently told me to consider the fact that a lot of blacks are sitting back waiting for The People’s Voice to flop, I was quite taken by shock…. And I thought  “No, not in this day.”    But, I had to re-think my reaction.  Then, I had to think about where we’ve come from.  And I thought again, “Maybe.”
Black folks, we don’t even realize our own power!  However, right now it is more necessary than ever that we USE that power, to liberate ourselves and our youngsters.  Contrary to popular belief, we are not FREE!!  
Our bible tells us “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”
We can readily see one example of this lack of knowledge in our youngsters of today, who have more “access” to education than ever before in the history of our country. But, we need to think about how and where they are getting this education?  In the malls; from video games, television, media? 
What are WE AS A COMMUNITY OR AS INDIVIDUALS doing to teach our children?  Who’s telling our children OUR story?   What are the schools doing for our youngsters?  Many of them graduate from high school, and STILL have to take remedial courses in college, before they can even take their first college level course.  They can’t read.  And if they can’t read, their thinking is certainly impaired!   They cannot read CRITICALLY, because they are not really exposed to situations that require them to do it!   But, you can change all of that right now, by exposing them to the People’s Voice Black Weekly News.  Give them something to THINK about! 
In the People’s Voice Black Weekly News, you’ll find timely and reliable information by, for, and about black people from every walk of life or every level of interest. We are committed to being the preeminent print publication designed for the purpose of empowering through information regarding Black life, politics, business, economics health, education, and general welfare.  We are committed to creating and serving as that very necessary platform that is so badly needed, for us to carry on constructive conversations about our collective growth and the progress of our people.
The People’s Voice is committed to telling OUR story from OUR vantage point.  But, if we are to succeed in accomplishing this goal, we must have your undivided attention and support!!

If and WHEN we succeed, it will be because of the overwhelming support of the black communities throughout the East Central Alabama and West Central Georgia Region…
All we have to do is leverage OUR collective buying power.  There are 77,000 black inhabitants in the 7 counties that surround Randolph.  Just by virtue of the mere numbers of black inhabitants in our own and our neighbor counties, we have the potential to be on TOP.   But, what will we do with it?
Similarly, we have that same potential voting strength, to affect the outcome of every election.  What will we do with that?   Use it!  Use that power.  Use the power of numbers!  Use the power of unity!  Use the power of the vote! Use the power of collective action!
It’s no secret.  We can’t do it unless you make a decision to support.  I am asking

you to make that commitment TODAY!   There is a simple roadmap to our success.  

We are a long long way from the 77,000 subscribers that we are looking for.   But we are on a mission to get there.   You can help us to achieve that. 
Support The People’s Voice.   Support by pledging to spend only $.50 cents EVERY week to buy a paper.   Support The People’s Voice by READING it and embracing its message.  
What follows are several things that you can do, to ensure that we succeed.

1.  Start a “Church Readership” Club in your congregation, by encouraging members of your church to buy the paper and read.   We will gladly offer a special rate to church groups who agree to purchase a bulk quantity of papers, on a monthly basis.

2.  Volunteer some of your time weekly, to assist in distributing The People’s Voice in YOUR community.

3.  Volunteer some of your time weekly, to assist in soliciting advertising in our paper.

4.  Start a distributorship of your own.

5.  How many people have you told that YOU read The People’s Voice?  How many other people have you encouraged to read it?   Call at least five (5) of your friends, and tell them about The People’s Voice.  Let them know that YOU read it, and encourage them to do the same!

6.  If you Teach, USE THE PEOPLE’S VOICE in your classroom, to motivate your student’s curiosity.  They love it!  Let them complete the “KidScoop” activity page in the paper.  This will encourage them and teach them how to read the paper.

7.  Of the merchants that YOU trade and do business with, how many have you encouraged to share some of their advertising business with us.
I would like to invite you to go to our informational website, at www.peoplesvoiceweekly.com and browse that site, and get inspired.  Start reading The People’s Voice. 
 REMEMBER, Our success depends on YOU!!

© 2006 by Charlotte A. Clark-Frieson

On Monday, September 11, 2006, I cried, because Monday was a dreadful day ― for many reasons that I want to share.
 
On that day, God blessed me to see my 53^rd birthday; but aside from that, it was the 5^th anniversary of one of the most tragic days in the history of our nation, the 9-11 terrorist attacks on the United States.  What a day to have to celebrate my birthday!   How could I celebrate as the deaths of thousands of human beings were being commemorated all over the country ― on the television, on radio stations around the nation and in communities across the U.S.?  
 
Yet for more compelling reasons, Monday was a dreadful day because it was the day that I sat in United States District Court in Montgomery, Alabama, and witnessed the sentencing of a long-time friend and comrade, Mr. Roy Terry.   As Mr. Terry stood and faced a Federal Judge, and expressed his deep regret and sorrow for any unintended harm done to his former employees, or others affected by his alleged actions, I cried, for in that apology, I saw Roy Terry for the man that I have always known him to be…a man of integrity, humility, soft-spoken, and sincere.  I cried, because in listening to and internalizing Mr. Terry’s words, my heart was wounded because in that same moment in some spiritual place within me, God revealed to me (once again) that in human relationships, there has to be some place deep within the heart where one knows another individual for who and what they are….and appreciates that individual for who and what you know them to be ― regardless of what everybody else may be saying or thinking about that individual.  Otherwise, there is no spiritual value to our relationships with one another. 
 
How could I possibly celebrate 53 years of my life, when my friend is on the verge of losing 6½
years of his life?  I thought about myself, and what I would have on my mind if I for some reason I ever found myself in the same position…. I thought, “If this were me, wouldn’t I want my friends standing by to support me through this trial?” And I cried; and found myself wondering, “Would any of my friends show up on my sentencing day? Would they show up as friends, or as self-righteous and judgmental spectators?”
 
Realizing that there are still many young naïve blacks who are critical of Mr. Terry, my heart was hurt.  These youngsters don’t have a clue about the kind of personal equity (sweat, sleepless nights, never-ending days, pacing the floor, prayer, and hard work) is involved in establishing and running a successful black business.  They don’t understand that being black and in business doesn’t mean that you’re rich or even wealthy; it often means having to meet a new financial challenge each and every day of your life; and if you are truly committed, it sometimes means trying to hang in there and stay, even when staying makes no sense!   And I cried.  I cried because no matter what a person may do, if we know them on a spiritual level, their deeds whether right or wrong, legal or illegal can never overshadow the intentions of the heart.  
 
Sitting in the courtroom that day allowed me to reflect on many negative truths about African Americans and the decline in the “black solidarity” that we are always claiming to have for one another, as well as the “Christian love” that we are so good at pontificating about.
 
Sitting in the courtroom that day also brought out numerous revelations about the truth in Mr. Terry’s case ― which will never really be told.  The fact that the final sentence was so drastically reduced from the 11½ years originally proposed by federal prosecutors, ought to speak volumes to everyone about the true strength (or weakness) of the government’s case against Mr. Terry.

We have heard a lot of preaching and prophesying both in the media and in the streets, about the 401k.  But, that day, we learned that the employees’ 401k contributions were not lost, as had been previously asserted all over the place.   Yet, the media ain’t talkin’ ‘bout that!
 
I believe the whole passel of overzealous media hounds owe Mr. Terry an apology for all the lies and half-truths that have been published and perpetrated generating far too many undeserved presumptions, speculations and prejudices about his life-style and his intentions in whatever acts he may have committed.  
 
As the proceedings neared the end, it appears that the longer this case has continued, the less severe the proposed actions against Mr. Terry have grew.  
 
On a spiritual level, I believe that anything Mr. Terry may have done as CEO of Terry Manufacturing Company, was done in an effort to preserve the integrity of the company and enable him and his family to continue to employ those who depended on Terry Manufacturing Company for their livlihoods.
 
Although Monday, September 11^th was a dreadful day, I celebrated my birthday by remembering who I am ― and whose I am.   I remember that God allowed me to come into this world in the month of September, a month ruled by the earth   ― it is a sign of love, deep loyalty, and integrity, and a strong sense of commitment to that in which I believe.  On Monday, September 11, I celebrated my loyaly to a life-long friend and comrade.
_______________________

Copyright 200t by Charlotte A. Clark-Frieson
This article was composed and written by Charlotte A. Clark-Frieson, and appeared in the September 15, edition of The People’s Voice African American Weekly News (www.peoplesvoiceonline.com).   This article may be reprinted with permission from the author:
Charlotte A. Clark-Frieson
email:  caclarkfrieson@msn.com
322 Wilkie Clark Drive
Roanoke, Alabama 36274
334.863.4885
256.276.8640

By Charlotte A. Clark-Frieson
Associate Editor

As we prepared to go to press last Wednesday, September 6, 2006, The People’s Voice had the pleasure and privilege of meeting the young woman pictured, Ms. Kim Denmark from Dayton, Ohio.  She is the woman walking across America, and has traveled 15 states on foot.   She left her home more than 70 months ago, determined to walk across the country.
 
She is pictured here with her sign and flag, which she bears as she walks.  Her goal of walking across America is to dramatize the need for change as it relates to welfare reform, homelessness and poverty.
. 
Due to limited space, we did not feel that we could do her story justice in last week’s issue of The Voice, therefore, she is featured in the current  issue of The People’s Voice.  She is now walking across Georgia, en route to Alabama.  She has an amazing testimony,  and when she shares her testimony, both her passion and conviction can be felt. 
 
Denmark tells a story of growing up poor, but determined to be successful.  She opened up her own “temp service” in Dayton, and it soon grew to 35 regular temps working in assembly, clerical, hotel, and other service industries. 
 
“I was a  negotiator;  my  talent was making and closing deals… I went wherever I had to go to close a deal….The Country Club, The Golf Course, you name it, I went there.”  Within a short span of seven years, Denmark had managed to grow her “temp service” to a work-force of 500.   But her success transformed her spirit into one of haughtiness and arrogance. 
 
“I was nasty.”  Kim recalls.  “I showed off the money I made buying expensive cars, extravagant clothing, and looking down on the less fortunate.   I would walk down the street with thousands of dollars in my pocket, and see the homeless on the street, and throw my change at them…. 
I would drive my Mercedes up to the church on Sunday.  I’d get there early, so that everybody could see me and say, ‘That’s Ms. Kim Denmark ― she’s got it goin’ on.’  I’d clutch my favorite leather-backed bible under my arms, and I’d walk up in the church, and didn’t know a thing about Jesus.”  
 
But, in the midst of all of her success and financial wealth, she became ill, and was forced to take to the bed for 30 days. As her condition worsened, Kim knew in her heart that she was going to die; so, praying for the Lord to take her, she gave up on living.  Kim recalls with amazing clarity, the night God healed her body, just as she sensed that she was about to slip into the throes of death. 
 
Kim declares that as she felt herself slipping away, God showed her a “spiritual movie”of her life, wherein clear images flashed before her of herself as a successful businesswoman holding a handful of green money in one hand, and with the other hand, throwing some change at a homeless man.  She could see herself “pretending” when she attended church, walking around with a Bible she never opened.   As she was being overtaken by what she describes as a thick dark fog, that was smothering her to death, and sensed the breath leaving her body, she wept until the light of the Holy Spirit came and intercepted the process.  This is when a voice told her “Get up and walk.”  Kim recalls that when she stood, an amazing, intense heat permeated her body, moving from “the bottom of my feet to the top of my head.”
 
“That is the night God healed me, and forgave me.  The next morning, I left my home in Ohio with a heavy snow on the ground, and nothing but the clothes I was wearing and a make-shift sign.”  The first few miles were the hardest.  Kim says she shared her story with everybody she met.   She said as she continued her walk that first day, she started to wonder what she would to do next.  “Lord, where will I eat?”  “Walk!” the voice told her.  “Lord where will I sleep?”  Again, the voice said “Walk!” 
 
That first day, Kim recalls walking until dark when she encountered a blond-headed woman who had seen her story on the local news, and was touched by her plight.  The woman had driven to find her and bought her some food and a hotel room for the night.   “My thighs were burning so hot, my feet were blistered; but, (Thank You Jesus),  I ate;  I rested;  I soaked my feet and legs in the hotel trash cans; and prepared for the next day’s journey.” 
 
She’s been walking ever since. To date Kim has walked over 70 months and approximately 2,300 miles. She has completed 15 states (OH, IN, PA, MD, VA, WV, IL, NJ, NY, NC, SC, DE), and currently she is walking in GA.  “I am committed to completing the entire United States of America.”

Her goals include encouraging mothers on welfare to get off and become self sufficient with resources available in their city and state.   And, moreover, she has a plan for achieving this goal.   Kim says, “Although much assistance is available already, I feel fewer obstacles should be a factor in permitting qualified candidates to make this transition less stressful.”
 
In visiting some cities, she receives support of the Mayor, Governor, churches, businesses, organizations and the general public.  Her main focus is to visit the homeless shelters, soup kitchens, Human Services Departments, and other points of interest where she can receive documentation and hear live testimonies from the public.
 
As Kim traveled through South Carolina, she met LaTonja Dewalt, who resigned a $60,000.00/a year job to join Kim on her journey.  LaTonja now serves as Kim’s Personal Assistant, Security,  and P.R. Person.  “In this case,” LaTonja says, “P.R. doesn’t mean Public Relations, but “Praise Representative.”  LaTonja drives for Kim, patrols the highways as Kim completes her walk, assists with paperwork, mans the petition, and receives telephone calls on Kim’s behalf.  

As a practical matter, Kim’s goal is to obtain 1 million signatures on a petition, and to appeal to the United States Congress to initiate focus on America’s poor relating to good jobs, decent wages and for families transitioning from the welfare roles, in which some become homeless.

Although Kim is not raising money, her food and shelter come strictly from donations.
 
Kim hopes that you will receive her message, as she comes into your city in peace and leaves with hope. She thanks you in advance, and hopes you enjoy the experience of meeting her as she travels through the United States for the poor.  If she comes through your city, she would welcome the opportunity to fellowship with churches, homeless shelters, soup kitchens, city administrators, or other groups and organizations.  And if any group or organization would care to sponsor a reception or fund-raiser to help her complete her walk, she would receive any gifts with gratitude.
 
And if you happen to see her walking along the nation’s highways, please do not hesitate to offer her a helping hand.
 
The People’s Voice has pledged to serve as Kim’s official newspaper, tracking and chronicling her progress as she makes the journey.  We will post a Kim’s weblink on our site, and pledge to keep in touch with her on her journey across America. 

______________________________________________________________________________
 
Contents Of Kim’s Petition
 
To: US Congress

By signing the petition, I am granting my personal support to Ms. Kim Denmark in her walk across America for welfare reform, homelessness, and poverty. I, too, am endorsing Ms. Denmark’s efforts in approaching the United State Senate as a spokesperson on behalf of myself, and on behalf of so many American’s suffering from the plague of poverty. As a citizen of the United States, I do content that changes should be made, and more focus should be given to promoting new jobs, quality education and opportunity for economics and social stability. And, by signing, I state that I have been neither forced nor coerced into supporting such a cause. Therefore, please accept my signature as proof that I, along with so many fellow Americans, support Ms. Denmark’s walk across the great United States.

Thank you, and may heaven forever smile upon the listeners and the lawmakers who can make changes possible.
 
____________________________________________________________________________
 

Things Kim Needs To Complete Her Walk

Kim needs support to help her complete her walk across America.  We have listed here some of the items on her wish list.  Some of the items are desperately needed, others are things she says would be nice to have on her journey.  She says that if you find it in your heart to help her in any way possible, please consider providing any of the items listed below.
 
Kim’s Wish List:
 
Advance Lodging at a decent facility
Laptop Computer
Digital Camera
Cell Phone
A Van (Nothing Elaborate Or Fancy) So she can transport her equipment
New Balance Athletic Shoes (Size 10)
100% Nylon Jogging Suit (Bright Orange)
     Orange Represents The Prison Population  (80% of the Prison Population are people of Color)
A New Sign

“Meaningful” Arrest Reports

By Charlotte A. Clark-Frieson,
Associate Editor
As we continue to work to make The People’s Voice more responsive and sensitive to the specific interests of it’s audience, we have devoted a lot of time to considering the kind of information that would be most meaningful to people of color.

As we continue to work to make more responsive and sensitive to the specific interests of it’s audience, we have devoted a lot of time to considering the kind of information that would be most meaningful to people of color.Early in our publishing conquest, many readers inquired as to why we don’t publish arrest reports and articles of that nature as other print media do?  Our answer was a loud, resounding and emphatic NO!  After surveying the interests and opinions  of black consumers, we were impressed by their opinions that they found it very distasteful to read arrest reports, especially when many of those featured in the arrest reports are black.  Many see it as another strategy that allows the majority to stigmatize and brand blacks as criminal.

What is gained by demeaning an individual who may be a victim of alcohol or drug use?   What is gained from publicly humiliating an individual who may have committed a minor offense?

Thus after careful consideration, we believe it would be more meaningful to those truly concerned with the well-being and interest of African American people, to provide reports that shed more light on the numbers and/or percentages of individuals by race and gender, who are most affected by the Justice System and the nature of the charges leveled against them.

For African-Americans, the more important question goes back to the issue of how many(?) as opposed to who(?).

It has been established throughout numerous black venues that blacks are more frequently profiled and have more confrontations with law enforcement, despite the fact that we are in the minority in the general population.  Thus, a sensible conclusion is that the percentage of blacks in custody should be no higher than the percentage represented in the general population….and already, most of us could conclude that to be a joke!

So, believing that this kind information would be more meaningful…we are beginning to have conversations with some of the municipalities throughout the area to arrange to get the information weekly.   In pursuit of this goal, we recently spoke with Susan Cooper who works with the Municipal Court for the City Of Wedowee.   As a result of our conversations with  Cooper, we certainly gained a new respect for Mayor Tim Coe after Cooper explained to us that “Several years ago, Mayor Coe was against people’s names being put in the paper for arrest in the City, because he thought the families of the subjects were going through enough without their names being put in the paper.”

We couldn’t agree more.  And although we realize that such criminal proceedings are a matter of public record, we believe that if people want to know that bad, let them go dig up the information for themselves.    

So, all things considered, we plan to publish weekly reports that give numerical data regarding arrests in selected municipalities; we would like for our reports to include the nature of the charges also, however, the actual content of our report will remain a work in progress as it evolves.   We will gradually add other locations as the information becomes available to us.  Our report will more than likely appear in tablet format.

With this knowledge then, we as a people should be compelled to ask the question, “Why are blacks overrepresented in jails and prisons?”    Finally, as proactive and concerned citizens, hopefully we will be about the business of seeking solutions to these dilemmas.

As we gather this data weekly, we will share this information with you in the form of a Weekly Justice Report.  Please look forward to the inclusion of the weekly “Justice Report (or whatever we choose to title it).”

Our hope is that after reading our weekly reports, you will be able to put the numbers to the test for yourself.  Then, judge for yourself.   Is our system fair?  Is there racial equality in the criminal justice system?   It will be quite interesting to see how this data unfolds.
*******
Copyright 2006 by Charlotte A. Clark-Frieson
This article was composed and written by Charlotte A. Clark-Frieson, and appeared in the September 1, edition of The People’s Voice African American Weekly News (www.peoplesvoiceweekly.us).  
This article may be reprinted with permission from the author:
Charlotte A. Clark-Frieson
email:  caclarkfrieson@msn.com
322 Wilkie Clark Drive
Roanoke, Alabama 36274
334-863-4885
256-276-8604